Blue Jackets Kick Off Western Road Trip Against Flames
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to embark on a Western Road Trip, beginning with a matchup against the Calgary Flames. The team faces several roster challenges, including injuries to key players.
Injuries and Roster Updates
Yegor Chinakhov and Erik Gudbranson are sidelined due to upper body injuries, while Denton Mateychuk is also unavailable. Nevertheless, there is hope for Mateychuk’s return for Saturday’s game against Vancouver.
For the upcoming game, defenseman Mayo is expected to make his debut with the Blue Jackets. This marks his first NHL appearance since February 2023, as he takes the ice alongside Zach Werenski, who has been a standout performer.
This Day in CBJ History
- November 5, 2002: Geoff Sanderson scores in an overtime loss against Washington, setting a CBJ record for consecutive games with goals.
- November 5, 2015: The Blue Jackets emerge victorious with a 3-2 win at Los Angeles, despite being outshot 33-25.
Team Performance and Standouts
This season, Columbus has seen impressive contributions from its defensemen. They have scored in nine of 12 games, leading the NHL with 11 goals. Zach Werenski has been particularly effective, accumulating multiple points in three of his last four games.
- Werenski’s stats:
- 4 goals (tied for 2nd among defensemen)
- 10 points (tied for 9th overall)
- +9 rating (tied for 3rd in plus/minus)
- Average ice time: 26:01 (3rd in the league)
Other notable performances include Kirill Marchenko, who has points in 10 of his last 12 games, and Miles Wood, with three goals in recent outings.
Calgary Flames Overview
The Calgary Flames, coached by Ryan Huska, are struggling this season, currently sitting last in the NHL in scoring. Their team statistics reflect significant challenges:
- Goals per game: 2.14 (32nd overall)
- Scoring defense: 3.36 (24th overall)
- Power Play: 13.5% (29th in the league)
- Penalty Kill: 77.4% (18th overall)
Key Players
Nazem Kadri leads the Flames in scoring with a 3-7-10 line. Other contributors include Blake Coleman with five goals and Jonathan Huberdeau, who has missed several games but still has four goals.
Goals Against and Goalie Performance
Dustin Wolf, who finished second in Calder voting last year, is having a rough season with a record of 3-8-1. His goals-against average stands at 3.39, further complicating Calgary’s prospects.
Recent Trends
The Blue Jackets have had a tough time historically at the Saddledome, holding a record of 1-3-2 in their last six visits. The last meeting between these teams resulted in a 5-2 loss for Columbus.
As the Blue Jackets kick off their Western Road Trip, they will look to capitalize on Calgary’s struggles and secure a much-needed victory.
